"Across the U.S., people work for low pay and little encouragement at jobs that are dangerous, boring at times, and critical to American life," Grouchy said. " Public Works employees show great poise, humor and grace under pressure while keeping the driving public safe and secure. They patch pot-holes, rebuild bridges, collect garbage, trash and debris. They plow snow, help people evacuate in times of danger and help EMS, fire, and police personnel do their jobs. They do all this quietly, consistently and with no expectation of thanks."

Bringing humor to those situations ranging from ordinary to the grim is Grouchy's specialty.

Grouchy is a member of well-known local writers group, the Inklings and is published in the Inklings anthology, but his dedication to funny started long before.

He started his professional career as a land surveyor and then became a civil and environmental engineer, not a group known for comedy writing.

Serving for several years as the director of a nonprofit, Grouchy quickly learned that he had a natural knack for making his point best with humor. He wrote a newsletter and maintained a technical library. Grouchy began to seriously study the elements of humor.

Norman Cousin's "Anatomy of an Illness" was one of Grouchy's early studies.

"Laughing creates endorphins and tremendously positive effects. A life filled with laughter draws more positive people to you," Grouchy said.

For the past 33 years he has been a coordinator for Louisiana Storytellers and operated Grouchy Enterprises, which teaches ethics, supervision, negotiation, improving public image, design and maintenance of transportation systems to engineers and public works personnel -- all through humor.

Grouchy writes technical and humorous articles for trade and general magazines and generally teaches people to enjoy life.

"Using your humor as a tool for a better life is my main teaching emphasis," Grouchy said.

Grouchy and his wife Janet are also active in the local theater scene. He is known for his Mark Twain impression.

"I find it is fun to inhabit the role and react to the other actors. If the phone rings on set, you must be the first one to grab it, because then you can say, 'It's for you,'" Grouchy said.

Grouchy became interested in improvisation. Comedy Spot teaches management training through comedic improv and Grouchy began incorporating much of Comedy Spot's teachings in his work.

Grouchy also volunteers, bringing his wit and wisdom to the Council on Aging St. Tammany. Grouchy is currently working on a 50th anniversary collection of stories from lifelong residents of St. Tammany Parish.

Grouchy also began teaching humorous writing. He advises looking at a situation from a different perspective.

Grouchy began teaching a class entitled "Humor and the Sixth Sense" at LSU Leisure courses. The last class was a field trip to a comedy club. Grouchy also taught "How to Act Comedy" at Theater Baton Rouge and "That's Hilarious" at our state's school thespian conferences.

The Northshore Literary Society meets the first Sunday of the month on even-numbered months from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mac's on Boston Street in Covington.